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Retail Storage Solutions

What is Retail Storage?

Storage systems are an essential part of any retail operation. They help to keep inventory and orders organized and accessible, which improves operational efficiency and worker productivity.

Many different storage systems are available for retail operations, each with advantages and disadvantages. Some examples of storage systems for retail operations are pallet racking, industrial shelving, carton flow, AS/RS, mobile carts, and modular storage. The best system for a particular retail operation will depend on the size and type of inventory, omnichannel and order fulfillment needs, available space, and budget. 

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Who Can Benefit from Optimized Retail Storage Solutions?

Optimizing storage spaces can significantly benefit retailers and their supply chain partners. From small businesses to large chains and manufacturers, streamlined inventory management reduces costs and improves operational efficiency.

  • Small Businesses: Space-saving storage options maximize limited square footage, allowing them to diversify product offerings.
  • Larger Retail Chains: Enhanced customer experience through quicker restocking and order fulfillment.
  • Manufacturers & Suppliers: Well-organized retail storage facilitates smoother supply chain operations and timely deliveries.

By optimizing retail storage, manufacturers can improve logistics, retailers can satisfy customers better, and small businesses can leverage every inch of space. Ultimately, effective retail storage solutions lead to a more seamless shopping experience with greater product availability for consumers.

UNEX carton flow in a retail fulfillment operation

Why should Retail Operations Implement Effective Storage Solutions?

  • Enhanced Efficiency: Reducing the time needed to retrieve inventory will help retailers increase worker productivity. Improved efficiency can help workers fulfill orders quickly and improve the customer experience.
  • Improved Inventory Management: Tracking inventory more effectively with the right storage systems in place, can help prevent stockouts and overstocks, saving money and improving customer satisfaction.
  • Reduced Operational Costs: Minimizing the space required for storage can lead to reduced labor costs and lower rent or mortgage payments.
  • Increased Safety: Reducing the risk of accidents is especially important in retail warehouses, backrooms, and customer pickup areas.

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Why Retail Storage Matters

Spurred on by the infamous "Amazon Effect" and operational shifts in the industry, customers expect quick shipping, delivery, and pickup options – and retailers must evolve to stay competitive. In response, many retailers have turned their brick & mortar stores into fulfillment centers to reduce transportation costs and speed fulfillment.

In most retail spaces, the retail backroom isn't designed for eCommerce. Traditional models of regional distribution and weekly restocks won't meet customer demands, such as two-day shipping and more product variations. Despite the change in expectations, retailers still need to use what they have to accommodate customers and maintain profitable margins. Growing and evolving businesses require more storage capacity, which means more space. However, many companies can't afford that financial hit of upgrading spaces while staying competitive. In addition, moving spaces is generally nearly impossible due to the logistics of running a store. 

According to McKinsey, online retail sales are growing 15% every year. As eCommerce gains momentum, retailers must also store packing supplies in their space to fulfill orders or accommodate services like curbside pickup. To further complicate things, retail is rapidly morphing into an omnichannel model. Online orders, micro-fulfillment, and in-store pickup are among the fastest-growing omnichannel ordering models, with growth of anywhere from 40% to 70%, depending on the product.

Overcome Retail Storage Challenges with UNEX Smart Space Solutions

UNEX retail storage solutions, like SpeedCell high-density storage, can help retailers adapt to buyer trends. With personalized products and product variations rising, retailers must manage an expanding array of SKUs. Certain products may be hot for a few weeks, requiring retailers to purchase large amounts of inventory to keep up with demand, only to have those same products sit in piles in the backroom when buyers move on to the next big thing. As such, retailers often have backroom storage challenges around overstock and inventory. SpeedCell increases storage density by up to 60%, helping retailers meet the challenges of fluctuating inventory demands and increased SKU variations.

Relocating stores or renting new storage spaces is often a costly and impractical solution to overcoming these everyday challenges. Overfull retail space is often the result of inappropriate storage solutions for the needs of the business. Instead, implementing scalable, reconfigurable modular retail storage solutions, like FlowCell flow racks, can adapt the facility according to the market needs.

Dynamic storage solutions, like SpanTrack carton flow, will maximize storage density and accessibility in retail spaces. By recovering floor space and increasing capacity, retail storage solutions from UNEX will help retailers stay competitive as new products enter the market and consumer expectations change.

Optimize Your Retail Space with Dynamic Storage Solutions from UNEX

Dynamic retail storage solutions by UNEX are easy-to-install and reconfigurable according to the unique needs of retailers and their warehouses, backrooms, and customer pickup areas. They address common pain points of retailers, such as SKU proliferation and product trends, by being cost-effective solutions that can be immediately implemented and reconfigured or scaled based on current buyer behaviors.

 

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UNEX SpanTrack Lane - Carton Flow Solution

SpanTrack Lane

SpanTrack Lane is an innovative carton-flow solution that drops into new or existing pallet rack structures to create an efficient, reliable, and durable flow system. Depend on a robust and sturdy solution for even the most active warehouses and assembly plants.

Key benefits of Spantrack include:

  • Ensure FIFO inventory rotation
  • Reduce worker travel time by up to 75%
  • Optimized for product stacking
  • Industry-leading 7-year warranty
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UNEX SpeedCell Dynamic Industrail Shelving

SpeedCell

SpeedCell is a dynamic warehouse storage solution uniquely designed to save time, space, and money by using existing space within standard pallet racking. Its compact design can compress 200′ of rack or shelving into 40′ of highly organized space.

Key benefits of SpeedCell include:

  • Transform vacant space into useable storage and increase density by 40-60%
  • Create a highly efficient and accurate pick 
  • Reduce picker travel time by 80%
  • Reduce labor costs by up to 40% 
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UNEX FlowCell Modular Flow Racks

FlowCell

FlowCell flow racks are modular, dynamic storage units designed for a facility's unique operation. Our durable and portable workstations maximize efficiency and space for lineside storage, sub-assembly stations, supermarket racks, modular mobile carts, and more.

Additional Benefits Of FlowCell Include:

  • Increase space utilization by up to 50%
  • Boost production efficiency by up to 30%
  • Keep the factory floor organized
  • Minimize reaching and improve ergonomics by reducing injury and fatigue
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UNEX SpanTrack Wheel Bed Carton Flow

SpanTrack Wheel Bed

SpanTrack Wheel Bed is a flexible carton flow solution that drops into new or existing pallet rack structures to create the ultimate gravity flow rack system for order picking operations, manufacturing facilities, and more. 

Additional Benefits Of Spantrack Wheel Bed Include:

  • Hex hub wheel design for optimal flow
  • Store products with a wide variation in size and weight
  • Increase flexibility for inventory slotting with 90% left to right bay usage
  • Replenish inventory from the back without interrupting the process in front
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UNEX SpeedCartt Mobile Storage Cart

SpeedCartt

SpeedCartt is a mobile, high-density picking cart solution that is reliable in the most demanding environments. Constructed from the same lightweight yet heavy-duty materials as SpeedCell, SpeedCartt improves efficiency and reduces labor costs.

Additional Benefits Of SpeedCartt Include:

  • Increase pick facings
  • Reduce travel times
  • Increase order accuracy
  • Pick multiple orders at the same time for maximum efficiency
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UNEX Roller Rack Gravity Flow Rack Solution

Roller Rack

Roller Rack is a pre-engineered gravity flow rack designed to optimize efficiency, safety, and FIFO rotation in many settings. They are pre-configured, easy to assemble, and ready when your facility needs them.

Additional Benefits Of Roller Racks Include:

  • Quick and easy to build and install
  • Create bays seven times denser than pallet position storage
  • Reduce picker travel time by up to 75%
  • Improve access and visibility while reducing strain on workers
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UNEX Pick Shelves Industrial Shelving Solution

Pick Shelves

Tilted pick shelves significantly improve SKU visibility, resulting in faster order picking and more comfortable, precise picks for workers. Our easy-to-mount pick shelves are customizable and fit perfectly in racks and on workstations.

Additional Benefits Of Pick Shelves Include:

  • Integrate slow movers into the pick line to save space and increase efficiency
  • Eliminate the dead zone
  • Accelerate pick rates
  • Provide clear visibility and accessibility at the pick point and improve worker comfort
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More Applications

Warehouse Storage Solutions

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Storage Solutions for 3PLs

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Order Picking

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Each Picking

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